Holistic approach

Since I have hung my shingle out, I have been encountering a reoccurring theme, the old habit of treating one condition or symptom in hopes of finding the cure. Allopathic medicine uses this model to treat ailments and disease.  Treating one symptom at a time with drugs to pinpoint that particular malady. Herbalism on the other hand uses an holistic approach to health, considering all bodily functions and systems when devising a treatment plan to support and nurture the body back to health.

Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with treating the primary ailment, but when there are so many layers to a persons health it's just natural to consider the whole picture. This is the beauty of using herbs to nourish and support all the layers in our personal health fabric.
Herbs themselves are complex, having many medicinal, nutritional and inert components which allows them reach many of the layers of our "health fabric". When an herbalist combines these complex herbs together to form a tonic which enables all our layers to be nourished strengthened. This is why herbal tonics are effect and so often alleviate many ailments by using just one tonic.
This is one of the reasons why I love the herbal approach to healing, it keeps me learning and practicing this ancient form healing art. It is my hope that by spreading the word about the power of herbs it will become common place to have herbal apothecary's readily available like drugstores are today. Everyone knows the old adage," food is medicine", well herbs are food! Salute!

class is in session for 2014

Happy New Year Herb Lovers,

I am stoked for my herbal classes to begin.  I've planned to hold them on Saturday afternoon in hopes that this will be a good for all to work it into their schedules.  The first class is starting with the basics, "become a grocery store herbalist".  This ought to be a good place to start.

We brush by many herbs as we fill up our grocery carts, some we already use without knowing other medicinal uses for them.  This being said, I will highlight the grocery herbs here on my blog that will be discussed in class.

First on our grocery list is Garlic, "Allium Sativum", we all know and probable use this herb, but it has many benefits to our health.  It's actions listed in my Materia Medica are: alterative, antibiotic, antibacterial, cardiac tonic, hypotensive, digestive aid, appetizer, expectorant and vermifuge.

Garlic is used raw in medicinal remedies.  It is listed as a hot, dry, sweet and pungent herb that drains damp in the lung, spleen, liver and intestines.  It also tones yang of blood, heart and lungs.  But wait there is more, garlic also promoted tissue repair.

Garlic has been used for 3000 years, it has been found in the great pyramids which tells us how much our ancestors valued this herb.  It isn't for just keeping the vampires away, it has many uses.

Using the raw juice in a poultice is powerful in helping us fight infections of all spectrum's, viral, bacterial, and fungal. This is why garlic can cure warts and ringworm as well as disinfecting cuts and abrasions.  The juice can also be dropped into an infected ear to help clear it up.  This is especially effective if combined with St. John's wort and White Willow. Another home remedy is rubbing Garlic on the soles of your feet when you have a chest cold, then putting a socks upon going to sleep.  This really works, but it is a bit stinky.

Taking raw garlic internally helps to thin our blood and normalize cholesterol and blood pressure as well as boosting our immune systems to fight off infections.  It is said that cooked garlic still gives one the heart benefits. I would say that this is just another added bonus along with making our food taste so delish!